In order to become a successful educator, you need to possess three key elements. The first element is subject knowledge. The second element is communication of that subject knowledge. And the last element is patience. If you incorporate all three elements in your teaching, then you will definitely connect with your students and inspire them to achieve academic excellence.

My educational background is a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Arizona in 2007 and a M.A. in Mathematics Education from Western Governors University in 2010. In my Master’s program, I wrote a research paper to study the effects of community college students’ overall performance of math by teaching them algebra through the ideas and principles of chess. My conclusion of the study showed that the group of students who learned algebra through chess performed slightly better than the group of students who learned algebra through regular instruction.

I have taught elementary and intermediate algebra as an adjunct faculty member at Pima Community College in Tucson, AZ from 2007-2011. I have also taught college level math at ITT Technical Institute in Tucson, AZ from 2010-2011. Courses I taught there were college algebra/trigonometry, introductory calculus, and technical calculus.

I am a member of the United States Chess Federation (USCF) and a member of the International Correspondence Chess Federation (ICCF). I compete in over the board chess tournaments for the USCF and internet correspondence chess tournaments for the ICCF. Some of my best finishes were a tie for first place in the Class C section in the 2010 Tucson Open and a tie for second place in the 2013 Bloomington Open. I currently take online chess lessons with a National Master to improve my skills.